Thursday, January 28, 2010

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Reinstein/Ross was founded in 1985 by jewelry designer Susan Reinstein and her partner, gem expert Brian Ross. Susan had gained a lot of attention for her fresh and luxurious jewelry design, and the opening of Reinstein/Ross in Soho was an immediate success. The combination of the classical goldsmithing techniques, custom alloys of unique colors of high carat gold, and exotic colored precious stones were immediately recognized by both consumers and the fashion press. Hand-fabricated, exquisite, high-carat gold jewelry. The work of Reinstein/Ross has influenced an entire generation of jewelry designers. Pairing vibrant precious stones and classical goldsmithing techniques used by ancient cultures, Reinstein/Ross jewelry is designed and hand-fabricated in New York City, in their Madison Avenue shop. Reinstein/Ross jewelry is distinctly contemporary, but has a timeless quality.Their collection is extensive, ranging from their original simple hoop earrings with changeable drops, to necklaces, bracelets and signature show pieces. Other special objects include complex bejeweled and granulated objects such as boxes, picture frames, belt buckles and knife handles.Reinstein/Ross is proud of their widespread reputation for offering wonderful choices in engagement rings, wedding bands and other occasional jewelry choices.

Custom-made jewelry is their specialty at Reinstein/Ross. In addition to designing special piece's of original jewelry, stones from a piece that has been in your family for years can be used and reset for you in one of our signature styles. It can be very meaningful to keep personally significant and sentimental jewelry “alive” by resetting the stones and creating a fresh, and special, piece of custom jewelry -- a new heirloom.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

First impressions of geometric designs readily give way to images of natural, organic shapes in Alexandra Watkins’ work, shapes that are once independent and interactive. These singular works of art, hand-constructed of high carat gold, present a visual dialogue between space and form reminiscent of primitive landscapes and motifs.

Using chasing, repousse, 24k gold appliqué, and unusual stones, crystals, and objects of antiquity, Watkins draws the viewer into her dialogue from a variety of perspectives. One finds point and counterpoint, statement and response, movement and balance in her jewelry, all of which make these small sculptures comfortable to wear.

NANCY MICHEL

In Nancy Michel’s art, intimate and tactile surfaces are used to create three-dimensional sculptures that are simultaneously powerful and delicate. Her designs in jewelry reflect forms in nature - suggestions of lakes, rocks, and landscapes bring movement and impressions of changing light to her work.

These one-of-a-kind pieces are hand-constructed from flat sheets of gold or silver, with stones, fossils, and artifacts often placed as focal points. Michel’s use of textured gold complements the natural properties of the materials she selects.

Each work, carefully planned, has the spontaneity and the components of a setting from nature. For Michel, it is important that her jewelry - these body sculptures - echo the aesthetic expression of both artist and owner.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Stephanie Albertson’s career as a jewelry designer and artisan began when she was a young girl in her native Florida. She sold her first piece at the age of 12 and has been making jewelry ever since. In 1995, Stephanie began work at Harper’s Bazaar, where she spent four years as the assistant to the magazine’s renowned late editor-in-chief, Liz Tilberis. While at Bazaar, Stephanie continued to follow her muse, making jewelry in her spare time and honing her craft at The Jewelry Arts Institute in New York City. When friends and colleagues began coveting – and commissioning – her pieces, a business was born.

Inspired by vibrant colors, luxurious textures, and irresistible-to-the-touch materials, Albertson’s designs combine her appreciation of the classical principles of jewelry making with a strong sense of elegant and timeless fashion. Stephanie hand crafts each piece of her collection using 22k gold and an assortment of precious and semi-precious gemstones and beads. Because every piece is hand made, and each bead or stone carefully chosen, no two pieces in the line will ever be exactly the same. Each is unique, with a personality and life of its own.

When asked about her designs, Albertson says “My jewelry is about color and having fun. I love the whimsical, magical and expressive power of jewelry, and especially the notion that jewelry should be fun to wear. My jewelry allows the wearer to make a personal statement and express their individual sense of style.” Her love of music and painting provide a continual source of inspiration. “The colors and images that appear in my painting always find their way into the jewels, as if the gold and gems are the paint and wearer becomes the canvas. Musically, some of the pieces actually chime, as in my Leaf Collection, where delicate teardrop shaped stones fall gracefully between interlocking leaves.”